Storage file



July 28, 1936. A c, TRAYgR 2,049,337

STORAGE FILE Filed March 28, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 fi. [Z Sfrayer .Aglji I V? July 28, A c ST A STORAGE FILE Filed March 28, 1936 .5 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 28, 1936. A. c. STRAYER STORAGE FILE Filed March 28. 1936 3 Sheets-Shget 3 Patent ed July I s'ronsea mil ArthnrClare Strayer, New Brighton, Pa. Application March 2a, 1930, Serial No. 71,503

lzclaims. This invention relates to a storas'efile and has relation m'oreparticularly to a file of a collapsible typ and itis primarily an object 'of the invention to provide a structure embodying a ll shell comprising a pluralityofpermanently connected flaps constructed and arranged to permit the shell to be readily extended into working ad- 1 :Iustment or collapsed as desired and which shell in its structure includes a metal throat to strengthen the shell and to permit the advantageous use of a sliding drawer in connection with the shell. V

The invention also has for an object to provide a file structure comprising a shell and an associated sliding drawer, the walls of the shell and drawer being preferably of a paper stock, the shell having associated therewith a metal throat to strenthen the same and to facilitate the coaction of the drawer with the shell, the shell having a readily opening top wall to permit access to the drawer encased or housed within the shell.

A still further object of the invention is to provide'a storage file comprising a shell and a slid-' able drawer working therein, the shell being provided with a reinforcing throat structure and the drawer carrying means for coactlon with said I throat'structure to prevent complete withdrawal of the drawer from within the shell. 0 Anadditional object of the invention is to pro- 8 type including a shell reinforced by a metallic throat and fastening members, said throat and fastening members being so constructed and arranged to eliminate any outside exposure of metal which might possibly mar the surface of a desk or other furniture upon which the file might be placed.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved storage file whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, lessv expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageousfor use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed. I

In order that my invention may be the bette taken through a storage file constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention,

vide a storage file of a collapsible or knock-down therefrom by the score lines 4 upon which the the sliding drawer being fully retracted and the or panels and flaps extended;

Figure 51s a view in perspective of the shell or case as herein disclosed in collapsed or knocked down adjustment; i

Figure 6 is a view in perspective of the sliding drawer as herein disclosed with certain of the walls or panels and flaps extended;

Figure 7 is a view'in perspective of the sliding drawer in its collapsed or knocked down adjust- 2o ment:

Figure 8 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view takenthrough a shell or case for a storage file constructed in accordance with another embodiment of my invention;

Figure 9 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on thelin'e 9-9 of Figure 8 looking in the direction of the arrow;

Figure 10 is a view in perspective of the shell or case as comprised in Figures 8 and 9 with the various walls or panels and fiaps extended.

Figure 11 is a detailed sectional view illustrating a throat flap constructed in accordance witha further embodiment of my invention;

Figure 12 is a fragmentary view in perspective illustrating another modified feature.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings. my improved file in its entirety comprises two units, the unit A constituting a shell or outer case and the unit B constituting a sliding drawer.

The shell or case A is formed from a single sheet of fibre boardof proper gauge and com-. prises the side panels orwalls I and 2 integrally connected with an. end panel I but separated side walls or panels land 2 are bendable. Integrally formed with the upper and lower margins of the endipanel or wall 3 are the flaps 5 separated from the end wall or panel 3 by the score lines 8 upon which the flaps 5 readily bend.

The walls or panels i, 2 and 3 are of desired dimensions as the requirements of practice may prefer, and integrally formed with the lower marginal portions of the, side walls or panels I and 2 are the bottom panels 1 and 8 respectively sepa- 65 V2 v rated from the side walls or panels by the score lines 8 upon which said panels I and 8 readily bend or flex. V

The upper margins of the side walls or panels I and 2 have integrally connected therewith the cover walls or panels I and I I respectively, separated from said side walls by the score lines I2 whereby the cover or top walls or panels I0 and II readily swing into open or closed position as may be desired. I

Bridging the free end portions of the side walls or panels I and 2 are the'substantially U-shaped plates I 4 riveted, as at I5, or otherwise firmly attached to the side walls or panels I and 2. These plates I8 are of a length less than the width of the side walls or panels I and 2 so that the extremities of said plates terminate inwardly of the longitudinal marginal portions of said side walls or panels and said plates have their intermediate portion extended a slight distance beyond the adjacent ends of the side walls or panels I and 2 whereby barrels or sleeves are provided to freely receive the end members I6 of a rectangular frame F. The side members I! of the frame F are substantially flush with the longitudinal margins of the side walls or panels 'or panels I and 2 are maintained in parallel relation.

Swingingly or hingedly connected with the members II of the frame F are the flaps I8 preferably of sheet metal and which extend inwardly of the shell or case A when the same is extended into operative or working adjustment. 1

The frame Ftogether with the parts directly associated therewith constitute an entrance throat for the shell or' casing A and provide means for effectively strengthening or reinforcing said end portionof the shell or casing, and in addition the flaps I8 serve to facilitate the initial insertion of the unit or drawerB within the shell or casing A.

The bottom walls or panels 'I and '8 are of substantially the samedimensions and each is of such size as to effecti ely extend across the lower or bottom face of t e shell or casing A.

With the various flaps or panels of the casing or shell A extended, the shell or casing A may be readily collapsed or knocked down by swinging one of the side walls I or 2 toward the other and in a direction lengthwise of said side walls or panels I and 2. This collapsing or knockdown feature is of particular importance and advantage in the shipping of the file or for storage.

In extending the shell or case A for use the side walls I and 2 are extended into parallel relation with the frame F and the end wall or panel 8 also substantially parallel. The bottom panel I is then swung into its closed position 6 across thebottom of the ,shell whereupon the flap E'of the end wall is swung inwardly to overlap from below the closed wall or panel I. The second bottom wall or panel 8 is then swung into closed position and the fastening clips I9 carried by'the free longitudinal marginal portion of the panel 8 adjacent to the ends thereof areengaged with the studs 20 carried by and extending out from the inner longitudinal marginal portion of the side wall or panel I. The flaps I8 of the frame F are adjusted to be extended inwardly'of the shell or case A and the cover or top panel I0 is swung inwardly across thetop of the shell or case and then the flap 2I carried by the upper marginal portion of the end wall or panel 3 is swung inwardly to overlie the adjacent end portion of said closed cover or top wall or panel Ill. The second cover or top wall or panel II is then 5 swung into closed position and the clips 22' carried by the free longitudinal marginal portion thereof adjacent its ends are engaged with the studs 23 extending out from the adjacent longitudinal marginal portion of the side wall or panel 2.

The flap 2| hereinbefore referred to is also integrally formed with the end wall or panel 3 and separated therefrom by the score lines 26 upon which saidiflap 2i readily flexes. l

The interlocking ofthe flaps 6 and M with the panels I and 8 and I0 and II maintain a strong and rigid rear or closed end for the shell or case A. Such rear structure, however, can be readily disassembled upon -extending the various top and bottom walls or panels when it is desired to collapse or knock down the shell or case.

The second unit or drawer B is adapted to snugly and slidably engage within the shell or 28 casing A through the open or front end thereof. This drawer B is also of a collapsible type and comprises the side walls or panels 26 integrally connected along the score lines 21 with the front wall or panel 28. The rear end of one of-the side walls 26 is integrally connected along the score line 29 with a rear wall or panel 30. The opposite end of said rear wall or panel 36 and the adjacent rear end portion of the second side panel 26 are connected by a flexible sheet 3| adhesively secured thereto. In view of the foregoing it is believed to be readily apparent that when desired the side walls or panels 26 may be readily swung one toward the other to collapse or knock down the drawer structure.

The upper marginal portions of the side panels 26 and the rear end panel 30 are reinforced by the metallic strips 32.

The lower marginal portions of the end flaps 28 and 30 have integrally connected therewith along the score lines 33 the flaps 34 which are extendedinwardly of the, structure when the drawer B is extendedfor use. The lower marginal portions of the side walls or panels 26 have integrally connected therewith along the score lines 35 the bottom walls or panels 36, one of which overlying the other when the unit or drawer B is in working assembly. The free longitudinal marginal portion of the outer bottom panel 36 adjacent its endscarries the fastening clips 31 to engage the outstanding clips 38 carried by the adjacent lower marginal portion of a side wall 26.

The front panel 28 has secured thereto a metallic plate 39 overlying the outer face of said front panel 28. This plate is provided with a swinging handle 48 to facilitate the'operation of the drawer and is also provided at 4| with card holding means.

The rear portion of the outermost bottom panel 38 has secured to its-exposed or under face at substantially the transverse center thereof a forwardly directed clip 42 which, as the drawer B is pulled outwardly from the shell or case A,

engages the inner edge of the lower flap I8 of the frame F. By this means the outward movement of the drawer B is limited.

Aside from being readily collapsible, it is to be stated that by means of the cover or top panels III and II access may be had to the contents of the 7 aosass'r drawer'B within the shell or casing A when for any reason it is not desired to slide the drawer out from within the shell or case. To do this,

' however, the assembled structure would have to be either at the topof a stack or free of any stack.

It is to be further emphasized that the construction of the shell or case A is such as to readily withstand weight imposed thereon when in stack and thereby eliminating crushing so that the life of the structure is materially prolonged. -In Figures 8 to 10 is illustrated another embodiment of my shell or case and as comprised in this form of the invention the. shell or case A is also formed from a single sheet of fibre board of proper gauge, and comprises the side walls or panels -I and 2' integrally connected with an end panel 3' but separated therefrom by the score lines 4' upon which the side walls or panels i and 2' are bendable. The end panel 3' has integrally formed with its upper and lower margins the flaps 5' bendable upon the score lines 8' separating said flaps 5' from the end wall or panel 3. The top fiap 5' has engaged along its outer or free longitudinal marginal portion a reinforcing strip 43 preferably of metal, said strip being herein disclosed as substantially U-shaped in cross section and straddling the longitudinal marginal portion of the top fiap 5'.

Integrally formed with the lower marginal portions of the side walls or panels I and 2 are the bottom panels I and 8 respectively bendable on the score lines 9' separating the bottom panels from the side walls or panels. The upper margin of the side wall or panel i' has integrally connected therewith'the cover wall or panel ill of dimensions to entirely close the top of the case or shell A while the upper marginal portion of the second side wall or panel 2' has integrally connected therewith a relatively short flap ll, said wall or panel l and fiap ll flexing on the score lines l2 separating said cover panel i0 and flap H from the side walls or panels i' and 2'. The free longitudinal marginal portion of this side flap II is strengthened or reinforced by a metallic strip 44 extending substantially the entire length thereof. This strip 44 is also substantially .U-shaped' in cross section and straddles the free longitudinal marginal portion of the flap. 1

When the shell or case A is extended for use the bottom panels 1' and 8' are in overlapping relation and the outermost panel 8' carries the fastening clips l9 which engage with the studs 20' carried by and extending out from the side wall or panel I. It is also to be noted that the forward end portion of the panel i is strengthened or reinforced by a metallic strip 45 also substantially U-=shaped in cross section and straddling said forward end portion of the panel. In addition to providing a reinforcing or strengthening medium, this strip 45 provides a metallic surface for the drawer to slide on and also facilitates the entrance of the drawer within the case or shell.

When the shell or-case A is extended, the bottom-end flap is received between the bottom walls orpanels 1 audit while the upper end flap 5' underlies the closed .cover panel ill with an end portion overlying the adjacent end por-- tion of the top side panel I l The outer or free corner portions of the cover panel I 0' are provided with the fastening clips 22' to engage the The forward or free end portions of the side walls or panels I and 2' are provided with the barrels or sleeves l4 through which are freely directed the end members l8 of the rectangular frame F. The side members ll of the frame F 5 have swingingly or hingedly connected therewith the flaps l8 and ii. The flap I8 is engaged with the lower side member i1 and when the case or shell A is extended this flap I8 extends between the bottom walls or panels I and 8'.

- The upper flap i8 is engaged with the upper side member i1 and when the case or shell A is extended said flap is disposed inwardly of said case or shell with'an end portion thereof lapping over the adjacent end portion of the side flap i I.

This form of shell or case A. can be collapsed or knocked down with the same convenience and facility as the case or shell illustrated in the first embodiment of my invention.

The metallic reinforcements, such as shown in 2 the embodiment of the invention as illustrated in Figure 10, may also be applied to the desired marginal portions of the various walls or panels of the invention as illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive. In connection with this first embodi- 2 ment of my invention it is to be further noted that when the cover wall or panel Illis swung into closed position its free longitudinal marginal portion contacts with a clip 46 secured to the upper portion of the wall or panel I in relatively close proximity to the throat F and also with a second clip 41 secured to the central upper portion of the end panel or wall 3. The provision of these clips assures the shell or case A, and more particularly the closed top walls or covers Ill and 3 ll, eifectively withstanding pressure which may be imposed thereupon. These clips 46 and 41 may be made in any manner desired which will assure the provision of the proper shoulders for contact by the cover or panel i0. It is preferred, however, that each of these clips be formed from a sheet of metal returned upon itself with its bent portion enlarged to provide a barrel 0 in which is contained a reinforcing wire b.

In Figure 11 is illustrated a-type of flap tobe 5 employed in connection with a frame F or F' and wherein the fiap comprises a metallic strip 48 formed along one longitudinal marginal portion with a barrel 48 freely engaged with a member ll. The body portion of the strip 48 is 5 riveted, as at 5B, or otherwise suitably attached to the flap i8" of paper board preferably of the same quality as the walls or panels of the shell. In using the flap ll" sharp edges are avoided which is of advantage especially in the knocking down of the case or shell.

In Figure 12 I illustrate an embodiment wherein the side wall or panel I is provided in its upper marginal portion adjacent its outer end with a loop Ii riveted or otherwise rigidlysecured '0 into place and which loop receives a clip 52 depending from the free longitudinal marginal portion of the top member or cover ID". A similar arrangement is to be provided in connection with the inner end portion of this top member or cover I 0 and the end wallor panel in the same general fashion as the clip 41 hereinbefore referred to in connection with the first embodiment of the invention.

From the foregoing description it is thought to 7 be obvious that a storage file constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my in- 75 precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:-

1. A storage file including a shell having an open end to allow a drawer to be inserted within the shell, said shell comprising side walls and an end wall connected to the side walls, a substan-' tially rectangular frame interposed between the side walls at the open end of the shell, means for hingedly connecting the adjacent end portions of the side walls to the ends of the frame, flaps pivotally engaged with the upper and lower members of the frame and extending inwardlyof the shell, a bottom wall connected to the lower marginal portion of one of the side walls and movable into a position across the bottom of the shell, coacting means carried by said bottom wall and the second side wall to hold the bottom wall in closed position, a top wall secured to a side wall and movable into a position across the top of the shell, and coacting means carried by said top wall and a side wall to hold said top wall in closed position, said top and bottom walls when swung into open position offering no obstruction to the moving of the side walls one toward the other in a direction lengthwise thereof to collapse or knock down the shell.

2. A storage file including a shell having one I end open topermit a drawer 'to be received within the shell, said shell comprising side walls and an end wall secured to the side walls, flaps connected to the upper and lower margins of the end wall, a reinforcing throat within the open end of the shell including a frame having end members, means for pivotally connecting the adjacent extremities of the side walls to the end members of the frame, bottom panels connected with the lower marginal portions of the side walls, said bottom panels being movable across the bottom of the shell with one of said panels overlying the other, coacting means carried by the outermost bottom panel and a side wall for fastening the bottom panels in closed position, top panels secured to the upper marginal portions of the sidewalls and foldable across the top of the shell with said top panels in overlying rela tion, and coacting means carried by the outermost top panel and a side wall-for fastening the top panels in closed position, the flaps of the end wall extending inwardly of the shell.

3. A storage file including a shell having one end open to permit a drawer to be received within the shell, said shell comprising side walls and an end wall secured to the side walls, flaps connected to the upper and lower margins of the end wall, a reinforcing throat within the open end of the shell including a frame having end members, means for pivotally connecting the adjacent extremities of the side walls to the end members of the frame, bottom panels connected with the lower marginal portions of the side walls, said bottom panels beingmovable across the bottom of the shell with one of said panels overlying the other, coacting means carried by the outermost bottom panel and a side wall for fastening the bottom panels in closed position, top panels secured to the upper marginal portions of the side walls and foldable across the top of the-shell with said top panels in overlying relation, and coacting means carried by the outermost top panel and a side wall for fastening the top panelsin cured along the outer marginal portion of the top closed position, the flaps of the end wall extending inwardly of the shell, one of said flaps being disposed between the bottom panels and the other flap between the top panels. I

4. A storage file including a shell having one 5 end open to permit a drawer to be received within the shell, said shell comprising side walls and an end wall secured to the side walls, flaps connected to the upper and lower margins of the end wall, a reinforcing throat within the open end of theshell including a frame having end, members, means for pivotally connecting the adjacent extremities of the side walls to the end members of the frame, bottom panels connected with the lower marginal portions of the side walls, 5 said bottom panels being movable across the bottom of the shell with one of said panels overlying the other, coacting means carried by the outermost panel and a side wall for fastening the bottom panels in closed position, top panels secured to the upper marginal portions of the side walls and foldable across the top of the shell with said top panels in overlying relation, coacting means carried by the outermost top panel and a side wall for fastening the top panels in closed a position, the flaps of the end wall extending inwardly of the shell, the frame of the reinforcing throat having top and" bottom members, and strengthening panels pivotally connected with said top and bottom members of the frame and extending inwardly of the shell.

5. A storage file including a shell having one end open to permit a drawer to be received within the shell, said shell comprising side walls and an end wall secured to the side walls, flaps connected to the upper and lower margins of the end wall, a reinforcing throat within the open end of the shell including a frame having end members, means for pivotally connecting the adjacent extremities of the side walls to the end members of the frame, bottom panels connected with the lower marginal portions of the side walls, said bottom panels being movable across the bottom of the shell with one of said panels overlying the other, coacting means carried by the outermost bottom panel and a side wall for fastening the bottom panel in closed position, top panels socured to the upper marginal portions of the side walls and foldable across the top of the shell with said top panels in overlying relation, coacting means carried by the outermost top panel and a side wall for fastening the top panels in closed position, the flaps of the end wall extending inwardly of the shell, and a reinforcing member se- 6. A storage file including a shell having an open end to allow a drawer to be inserted within the shell, said shell comprising side walls and an end wall connected to the side walls, a substantially rectangular frame interposed between the side walls at the open end of the shell, means for hingedly connecting the adjacent end portions of the side walls to the ends of the frame, flaps pivotally engaged with the upper and lower members of the frameand extending inwardly of the shell, a bottom wall connected to the lower marginal portion of one of the side walls and movable into a position across the bottom of the shell, coacting means carried by said bottom wall and the second side wall to hold the bottom wall in closed position, a top wall secured to a side wall and movable into a position across the top of the shell, coacting means carried by said top wall and a side wall to hold said top wall in closed position,

aoaassv I I said top and bottom walls when swung into open position 'oilering no obstruction to the moving of the side walls one toward the other in a direction lengthwise thereof to collapse or knock down the shell, and a flap secured along the upper margin of the second sidewall and movable into a position to overlie the top of the shell inwardly of the top wall.

7. A storage file including a shell having an open end to allow a drawer to be inserted within the shell, said shell comprising side walls and an end well connected to the side walls, a substantially rectangular frame interposed between the side walls at the open end of the shell, means for hingedly connectingthe'adjacent end portions of the side walls to the ends of the frame, flaps pivotally engaged with the upper and lower members of the frame and extending inwardly of "the shell, a bottom wall connected to the lower marginal portion of one of the side walls and movable into a position across the bottom of the shell, 00- acting means carried by said bottom wall and the second side wall-to hold the bottom wall in closed position, a top wall secured to a side wall and movable into a position across the top of the shell, coacting means carried by said top wall and a side wall to hold said-top wall in closed position, said top and bottom walls when swung into open position offering no obstruction to the moving of the side walls one toward the other in a direction lengthwise thereof to collapse or knock down the shell, a flap secured along the upper margin of the second side wall and movable into .a position to overlie the top of the shell inwardly of the top wall, and areinforcing membersecured along the upper marginal portion of said flap.

.8. A storage file including ashell'having an open end to allow a drawer to be inserted within the shell, said shell comprising sidewalls and an end wall connectedto the side walls, a substantially rectangular frame interposed between the side walls at the. open end of the shell, means for hingedly connecting the adiacent-end'portions of the side walls to the ends of the-frame, flaps pivotally engaged with the upper and lower members of the frame and extending-inwardly of the shell, 9. bottom wall connected to the lower marginal portion of one of the side walls and movable into a position across the bottom of the shell, coacting means carried by said bottom wall and the second side wall to hold the bottom wall in closed position, a top wall secured to a side wall and movable into a position across the topof the shell, coacting means carried by saidtop 'walland a side wall to hold said top wall in closed position, said top andbottom walls when swung into open position offering no obstruction to the moving of the side walls one toward the other in a direction lengthwisethereof to collapse or knockdown the shell, and a reinforcing member extending along the front end portion of the bottom wall and disposed over the surface of said wall opposed to the top of the shell. g o I 9. A storage file including afshellhaving an open end to allow a drawer to be inserted within the shell, said shell comprising sidewalls and an;

end wall connected to'the side walls, asubstantially rectangular frame interposed between the side walls'at the open end of the shellQrneans'for hingedly connecting the adjacent end; portions of the side walls to theendsfof the frame, flaps pivotally engaged with the upper and lower members of the frame and extending inwardly-ofthe shell, a bottom wall connected to the lower mar ginal portion of one of the side walls and movable top and bottom walls when swung into open vposition offering no obstruction to the moving of the side walls one toward the other in a direction I0 lengthwise thereof to collapse or knock down the shell, and means within the shell with which the top wall contacts to provide supporting means forv the top wall when in closed position.

10. A storage file including a shell having an 1 open end to allow a drawer to be inserted within the shell, said 'shell comprising side walls and an end wall connected tothe side walls/a substantially rectangular frame interposed between the side walls at the open end of the shell, means for 20 hingedly connecting the adjacent end portions of the side walls to the ends of the frame, flaps pivotally engaged with the upper and lower members of the frame and extending inwardly of the shell,

a bottomwall connected to the lower marginal 25 portion of one of the side walls and movable into a position across the bottom of the shell, coacting means carried by said bottom wall and the second side wall to hold the bottom wall in closed position, a top wall secured to a side wall and movable 30 into a position across the top of the shell, and coacting means carried by said top wall and a side wall to hold said top wall in closed position, ,saidtop and bottom walls when swung into open position offering no obstruction to the moving of 35 the side walls one toward the other in a direction tially rectangular frame interposed between the side walls at the open end of the shell, means for hingedly connecting the adjacent end portions of the side walls tothe ends of the frame, flaps pivotally engaged with the upper and lower members of the frame and extending inwardly of the shell, a bottom wall connected to the lower marginal portion of one of the side walls and movable into a position across the bottom of the shell, coacting means carried by said bottom wall and thesecond side wall to hold the bottom wall in closed position, a top wall secured to a side wall and movable into a position across the top of the shell, coacting means carried by said top wall and a side wall to hold said top wall in closed position, said top and bottom walls when swung into open position offering no obstruction to the moving of the side walls one-toward the other in along the front end portion of the bottom wall and disposedover the surface of said wall opposed to the top of the shell, a loop carried by a wall a direction lengthwise thereof to collapse or knock down the shell, a reinforcing member extending of the shell adjacent to its upper face, and a clip depending from a free marginal portion of the top wall engaged within the loop when said top wall is in closed position.

' 12. A collapsible structure comprising side walls and an end wall connected to the side walls. a

substantially rectangular frame interposed between the side walls at the open end of the structure, means for hingediy connecting the adjacent end portions of the side walls to the ends oi. the frame, flaps pivotally engaged with the upper and lower members of the frame and extending inwardly of the structure, a bottom wall connected to the lower marginal portion of one of the side walls and movable into a position across the bottom of the structure, and coacting means carried by said bottom wall and the second side wall to hold the bottom wall in closed position, said bottom wall when swung into open position offering no obstruction to the moving oi! the side walls one toward the other in a direction lengthwise thereof to collapse or knock down the structure.

ARTHUR CLARE STRAYER. 

